Penitentiary Blues
Encyclopedia
Penitentiary Blues is the debut album of American singer David Allan Coe
. It was released in 1969 on Plantation Records
.
albums, discussing themes such as working for the first time, blood test
s from veins used to inject heroin, prison
time, hoodoo imagery and death.
Allmusic's Thom Jurek describes the album's style as "voodoo
blues
", writing "This is redneck
music, pure and simple, fresh out of hell and trying to communicate the giddiness of reprieve as well as its horrors to the listener."
The album derives influence from Charlie Rich
, Jerry Lee Lewis
, Bo Diddley
, Lightnin' Hopkins
, and Tony Joe White
.
during the era."
except where noted.
David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his career...
. It was released in 1969 on Plantation Records
Plantation Records
Plantation Records was a country music record label started by Shelby Singleton. The label is best known for the Jeannie C. Riley 45rpm single, "Harper Valley P.T.A." which was a number one pop record in 1968....
.
Style
The lyrics of Penitentiary Bluesare often dark and foreshadow the content of Coe's later countryCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
albums, discussing themes such as working for the first time, blood test
Blood test
A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a needle, or via fingerprick....
s from veins used to inject heroin, prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
time, hoodoo imagery and death.
Allmusic's Thom Jurek describes the album's style as "voodoo
Louisiana Voodoo
Louisiana Voodoo, also known as New Orleans Voodoo, describes a set of underground religious practices which originated from the traditions of the African diaspora. It is a cultural form of the Afro-American religions which developed within the French, Spanish, and Creole speaking African American...
blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
", writing "This is redneck
Redneck
Redneck is a historically derogatory slang term used in reference to poor, uneducated white farmers, especially from the southern United States...
music, pure and simple, fresh out of hell and trying to communicate the giddiness of reprieve as well as its horrors to the listener."
The album derives influence from Charlie Rich
Charlie Rich
Charles Rich was an American country music singer and musician. A Grammy Award winner, his eclectic-style of music was often hard to classify in a single genre, playing in the rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, and gospel genres.In the latter part of his life, Rich acquired the nickname The Silver...
, Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
, Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
, Lightnin' Hopkins
Lightnin' Hopkins
Sam John Hopkins better known as Lightnin’ Hopkins, was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist, from Houston, Texas...
, and Tony Joe White
Tony Joe White
Tony Joe White is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1969 hit "Polk Salad Annie"; "Rainy Night in Georgia", which he wrote but was first made popular by Brook Benton in 1970; and "Steamy Windows", a hit for Tina Turner in 1989...
.
Reception
Allmusic's Thom Jurek wrote, "There are hints and traces of the lyrical genius Coe would display later, but taken as a whole, Penitentiary is thoroughly enjoyable as a rowdy, funky, and crude blues record full of out-of-tune guitars, slippery performances, and an attitude of 'fuck it, let's get it done and get it out,' which was a trademark of Plantation RecordsPlantation Records
Plantation Records was a country music record label started by Shelby Singleton. The label is best known for the Jeannie C. Riley 45rpm single, "Harper Valley P.T.A." which was a number one pop record in 1968....
during the era."
Track listing
All Songs written by David Allan CoeDavid Allan Coe
David Allan Coe is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his career...
except where noted.
- "Penitentiary Blues" – 3:11
- "Cell #33" (Coe, Teddy Paige) – 2:13
- "Monkey David Wine" – 3:00
- "Walkin' Bum" (Hank MillsHank MillsHank Mills was the pen name taken by country songwriter Samuel Garrett. Mills authored a number of country and western hits of the 1960s and 70's, including 3 BMI award winners: "Girl on the Billboard" was a #1 hit for Grand Ole Opry singer Del Reeves in 1965; "Little Ole Wine Drinker Me" , as...
) – 3:36 - "One Way Ticket To Nowhere" (Coe, Betty Coe, Teddy Paige, Cliff Parker) 2:46
- "Funeral Parlor Blues" (Coe, Betty Coe, Teddy Paige) – 3:12
- "Death Row" – 2:44
- "Oh Warden" (Coe, Teddy Paige) – 2:45
- "Age 21" – 2:06
- "Little David" – 2:12
- "Conjer Man" – 2:09
Personnel
- David Allan CoeDavid Allan CoeDavid Allan Coe is an American outlaw country music singer who achieved popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. He has written and performed over 280 original songs throughout his career...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Teddy Paige, Jerry Kennedy, Mac Gayden – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Teddy Paige, Charlie McCoyCharlie McCoyCharles "Charlie" Ray McCoy is an American musician noted for his harmonica playing. In his career, McCoy has backed several notable musicians including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tom Astor, Elvis Presley and Ween. He has also recorded thirty-seven studio albums, including fourteen for Monument Records...
, Ed Kollis – harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes... - William C. Sanders, Billy Linneman, Mac GaydenMac GaydenMcGavock Gayden better known as Mac Gayden born in Nashville, Tennessee is an American rock and country singer, songwriter, musician and producer. He is also president of Wild Child Records formed in 2004....
, Charlie McCoy – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Karl Himmel, Kenneth Buttrey – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- David BriggsDavid Briggs (American musician)David Briggs is an American keyboardist, record producer, arranger, composer and studio owner....
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Teddy Paige, Shelby S. Singleton, Jr. – production
- Joe Venneri - engineering
- Gayle Allen - photography